was a video game distribution service for Super Famicom or Game Boy operated by Nintendo that ran exclusively in Japan from September 1997 until February 2007. The service allowed users to download Super Famicom or Game Boy titles onto a special flash memory cartridge for a lower price than that of a pre-written ROM cartridge.
At its launch, the service initially offered only Super Famicom titles. Game Boy titles began being offered on March 1, 2000. The service was ultimately discontinued on February 28, 2007.
History Background During the market lifespan of the Famicom, Nintendo developed the Disk System, a floppy disk drive peripheral with expanded RAM which allowed players to use re-writable disk media called "disk cards" at Disk Writer kiosks. The system was relatively popular but suffered from issues of limited capacity. However, Nintendo did see a market for an economical re-writable medium due to the popularity of the Disk System.
Nintendo's first dynamic flash storage subsystem for the Super Famicom is the Satellaview, a peripheral released in 1995 that facilitated the delivery of a set of unique Super Famicom games via the St.GIGA satellite network.
Release The Super Famicom version of Nintendo Power was released on September 30, 1997.
The Game Boy Nintendo Power was originally planned to launch on November 1, 1999; however, due to the 1999 Jiji earthquake disrupting production in Taiwan, it was delayed until March 1, 2000.
Nintendo Power was discontinued on February 28, 2007, with all kiosks being removed from stores.
Usage
When the Nintendo Power was on the market in the 1990s, the user would first purchase the cartridge, then bring it to a store featuring a Nintendo Power kiosk. The user would select games to be copied to the cartridge and the store would provide a printed copy of the manual. Game prices varied, with older games being relatively cheap, and newer games and Nintendo Power exclusives being more expensive.
Technical details Each cartridge's flash memory is divided internally into eight blocks. Unless an 8-block game is loaded onto the cartridge, however, one block is reserved for the game selection menu, leaving only seven blocks for games. In addition, each cartridge has a small amount of SRAM for saved games, which is divided into sixteen blocks.
Games are rounded up in capacity; for example, a 10 megabit Super Famicom game needs three flash memory blocks totaling 12 megabits, and a Game Boy game that needs 100 kilobits of save space would need two SRAM blocks totaling 128 kilobits.
Nintendo Power has no Super Famicom enhancement chips such as the Super FX, so such games are incompatible.
Super Famicom
MSRP – Onboard flash memory (for game data) – 32 megabits total (4 megabits/block × 8 blocks) Onboard SRAM (for game saves) – 256 kilobits total (16 kilobits/block × 16 blocks)
Game Boy
MSRP – Onboard flash memory for game data, 8 megabits (1 megabit/block × 8 blocks) Onboard SRAM for saved games, 1024 kilobits (64 kilobits/block × 16 blocks)
Reception When the Nintendo Power for Super Famicom launched, it was perceived by the press as being in part an effort to free up retailer shelf space for more Nintendo 64 products.
List of games Super Famicom games First party games TitleRelease dateDeveloper(s)F-ZeroSeptember 30, 1997Nintendo EADFire Emblem: Monshō no NazoSeptember 30, 1997Intelligent SystemsFire Emblem: Seisen no KeifuSeptember 30, 1997Intelligent SystemsKirby BowlSeptember 30, 1997HAL Laboratory, Nintendo EADMario's Super PicrossSeptember 30, 1997Jupiter, ApeMother 2: Gīgu no GyakushūSeptember 30, 1997HAL Laboratory, ApePanel de PonSeptember 30, 1997Intelligent SystemsSimCitySeptember 30, 1997NintendoSuper Donkey KongSeptember 30, 1997RareSuper Donkey Kong 2September 30, 1997RareSuper Donkey Kong 3September 30, 1997RareSuper Mario CollectionSeptember 30, 1997Nintendo EADSuper Mario WorldSeptember 30, 1997Nintendo EADSuper MetroidSeptember 30, 1997Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent SystemsHeisei Shin Onigashima: KōhenDecember 1, 1997Pax SoftnicaHeisei Shin Onigashima: ZenpenDecember 1, 1997Pax SoftnicaWrecking Crew '98January 1, 1998Nintendo R&D1, Pax SoftnicaKirby no Kirakira KizzuFebruary 1, 1998HAL LaboratorySuper Punch-Out!!March 1, 1998Nintendo R&D3Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu ShōjoApril 1, 1998Nintendo R&D1Super Famicom WarsMay 1, 1998Intelligent SystemsDr. MarioJune 1, 1998Nintendo R&D1Zootto Mahjong!July 1, 1998NintendoSutte HakkunAugust 1, 1998Nintendo R&D2, indieszeroDerby Stallion '98September 1, 1998ParityBitMini 4WD Let's & Go!! Power WGP2October 1, 1998JupiterPower Lode RunnerJanuary 1, 1999T&E SoftPower SokobanJanuary 1, 1999Atelier DoublePicross NP Vol. 1April 1, 1999JupiterPicross NP Vol. 2June 1, 1999JupiterFamicom Bunko: Hajimari no MoriJuly 1, 1999Nintendo R&D1, Pax SoftnicaPicross NP Vol. 3August 1, 1999JupiterFire Emblem: Thracia 776September 1, 1999Intelligent SystemsPicross NP Vol. 4October 1, 1999JupiterPicross NP Vol. 5December 1, 1999JupiterPicross NP Vol. 6February 1, 2000JupiterPicross NP Vol. 7April 1, 2000JupiterPicross NP Vol. 8June 1, 2000JupiterThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the PastAugust 1, 2000Nintendo EADMetal Slader Glory: Director's CutDecember 1, 2000HAL Laboratory
Third party games TitleRelease datePublisherReleased oncartridge Akagawa Jirou: Majotachi no Nemuri December 1, 1997 Aretha the Super Famicom August 1, 1998 Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi August 1, 1998 The Atlas December 1, 1997 Axelay December 1, 1997 Breath of Fire II September 30, 1997 Cameltry December 1, 1997 Caravan Shooting Collection December 1, 1997 Castlevania: Dracula XX September 30, 1997 Clock Tower September 30, 1997 Columns August 1, 1999 Contra III: The Alien Wars September 30, 1997 Cosmo Gang the Puzzle August 1, 1998 Cosmo Gang the Video August 1, 1998 Cu-On-Pa August 1, 1998 Daikaijuu Monogatari September 30, 1997 Demon's Crest December 1, 1997 Der Langrisser August 1, 1998 Dōkyūsei 2 December 1, 1997 Down the World: Mervil's Ambition December 1, 1997 Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu August 1, 1998 Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu II August 1, 1998 Feda: The Emblem of Justice August 1, 1998 Final Fight December 1, 1997 Final Fight 2 December 1, 1997 The Firemen December 1, 1997 Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Furai no Shiren August 1, 2000 Gakkou de atta Kowai Hanashi December 1, 1997 Gokujo Parodius September 30, 1997 Gradius III December 1, 1997 Harvest Moon August 1, 1998 Heracles no Eikō III: Kamigami no Chinmoku December 1, 1997 Heracles no Eikō IV: Kamigami kara no Okurimono December 1, 1997 International Superstar Soccer Deluxe August 1, 1998 Kamaitachi no Yoru September 30, 1997 Kawa no Nushi Tsuri 2 December 1, 1997 Kid Klown in Crazy Chase August 1, 1998 Koutetsu no Kishi December 1, 1997 Last Bible III December 1, 1997 Lennus II December 1, 1997 Libble Rabble August 1, 1998 Lord MonarchAugust 1, 1998 Lufia & the Fortress of Doom December 1, 1997 Magical Drop II December 1, 1997 Majin Tensei December 1, 1997 Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis December 1, 1997 Mega Man 7 September 30, 1997 Mega Man X September 30, 1997 Metal Marines August 1, 1998 Metal Max 2 December 1, 1997 Otogirisō September 30, 1997 Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen 1998 Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures July 1, 1998 Paladin's Quest December 1, 1997 Parodius: Non-Sense Fantasy September 30, 1997 Phalanx August 1, 1998 Pocky & Rocky August 1, 1998 Pop'n TwinBee September 30, 1997 Pop'n TwinBee: Rainbow Bell Adventures September 30, 1997 Puzzle Bobble December 1, 1997 Ring ni Kakero June 1, 1998 Shanghai III August 1, 1998 Shin Megami Tensei December 1, 1997 Shin Megami Tensei II December 1, 1997 Smash Tennis July 1, 1998 Space Invaders: The Original Game December 1, 1997 Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting September 30, 1997 Super Black Bass 2 August 1, 1998 Super Bomberman 3 September 30, 1997 Super Family Gerende February 1, 1998 Super Fire Pro Wrestling X PremiumSeptember 30, 1997 Super Formation Soccer 96: World Club EditionSeptember 30, 1997 Super Genjin 2 December 1, 1997 Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts September 30, 1997 Super Jinsei Game 3 December 1, 1997 Super Puyo Puyo December 1, 1997 Tactics Ogre 1998 Tadaima Yuusha Boshuuchuu Okawari December 1, 1997 Tamagotchi Town May 1, 1999 Tokimeki Memorial: Densetsu no Ki no Shita de September 30, 1997 Torneko no Daibōken: Fushigi no Dungeon September 30, 1997 True Golf Classics: Waialae Country Club December 1, 1997 True Golf Classics: Wicked 18 1998 Umi no Nushi Tsuri December 1, 1997 Uncharted WatersAugust 1, 1998 Wagyan Paradise August 1, 1998 WhirloAugust 1, 1998 Winning Post 2: Program '96August 1, 1998 Wizardry I-II-III: Story of Llylgamyn June 1, 1999 Wizardry Gaiden IV December 1, 1997
Game Boy games First party games TitleDeveloper(s)Release dateRef. Donkey KongPax SoftnicaMarch 1, 2000Super Donkey Kong GBRareMarch 1, 2000Donkey Kong LandRareMarch 1, 2000Dr. MarioNintendo R&D1March 1, 2000F-1 RaceHAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Game Boy GalleryNintendo R&D1, TOSEMarch 1, 2000Game Boy Gallery 2TOSEMarch 1, 2000Game Boy Gallery 3TOSEMarch 1, 2000Game Boy WarsNintendo R&D1, Intelligent SystemsMarch 1, 2000GolfNintendo R&D2, HAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Hoshi no KirbyHAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Hoshi no Kirby 2HAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa NaruNintendo R&D1, Intelligent SystemsMarch 1, 2000Kirby no Block BallNintendo R&D1, HAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Kirby no Kirakira KizzuHAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Kirby no PinballHAL LaboratoryMarch 1, 2000Mario no PicrossJupiter, ApeMarch 1, 2000Metroid II: Return of SamusNintendo R&D1March 1, 2000MogurāniaPax SoftnicaMarch 1, 2000Picross 2Jupiter, ApeMarch 1, 2000Solar StrikerNintendo R&D1, Minakuchi EngineeringMarch 1, 2000Super Mario Bros. DeluxeNintendo R&D2March 1, 2000Super Mario LandNintendo R&D1March 1, 2000Super Mario Land 2: 6-Tsu no KinkokaNintendo R&D1March 1, 2000Super Mario Land 3: Wario LandNintendo R&D1March 1, 2000TennisNintendo EAD, Intelligent SystemsMarch 1, 2000YakumanIntelligent SystemsMarch 1, 2000Yoshi no CookieTOSEMarch 1, 2000Yoshi no PaneponIntelligent SystemsMarch 1, 2000Zelda no Densetsu: Yume o Miru Shima DXNintendo EADMarch 1, 2000AlleywayNintendo R&D1August 1, 2000Balloon Fight GBNintendo R&D1, Pax SoftnicaAugust 1, 2000Radar MissionPax SoftnicaAugust 1, 2000TetrisNintendo R&D1September 1, 2000Tetris DXNintendo R&D1September 1, 2000
Third party games